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Israel and the crisis in the Middle East

After the terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023, Israel declared war on Hamas and fighting was focused in Gaza. The conflict has since escalated to include the pro-Iranian Hezbollah in Lebanon as well as Iran.

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All Content on this topic

An Israeli soldier with a machine gun next to a vehicle

An Israeli soldier with a machine gun next to a vehicle

Israel has a bargaining chip with Golan Heights

Will Israel's seizure of Syrian land thwart future friendly ties with Damascus and other Arab governments?

Children in Gaza receive food in a soup kitchen in Gaza

Children in Gaza receive food in a soup kitchen in Gaza

What children in Gaza wish for most

Most have lost family and friends. And with schools closed, they're also losing their education.

Anita Tucker talks to DW in Israel.

Anita Tucker talks to DW in Israel.

Ultranationalist Israelis want to resettle Gaza

As new ceasefire talks to end the war in Gaza are underway, ultranationalist Israelis hope to reestablish settlements.

Palestinians in cities such as Khan Younis are struggling to access clean water

Palestinians in cities such as Khan Younis are struggling to access clean water

Israel accused of 'acts of genocide' over Gaza water access

The Israeli Foreign Ministry refused to cooperate in the report, which it has dismissed as "lies."

Smoke rises from a power station following Israeli airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen

Smoke rises from a power station following Israeli airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen

Israeli airstrikes hit Yemen after Houthi missile launch

At least nine people were killed in what Israel said were retaliatory strikes on Houthi targets.

Kamal Adwan hospital's health team evacuate Palestinian patients after Israeli airstrikes damaged the building (file photo)

Kamal Adwan hospital's health team evacuate Palestinian patients after Israeli airstrikes damaged the building (file photo)

Gaza: Last intensive care unit burns down

The director of the Kamal Adwan hospital says Israeli vehicles deliberately targeted the ICU.

View of a man's feet stepping on a Syrian regime flag (L) next to Iranian national flags in a ransacked office

View of a man's feet stepping on a Syrian regime flag (L) next to Iranian national flags in a ransacked office

Fall of Assad in Syria caps bad year for Iran

DW looks at why the Islamic Republic's influence and stability are now under threat.

Pro-Palestinian protesters seen outside the Israeli Embassy on Pembroke Road, Dublin

Pro-Palestinian protesters seen outside the Israeli Embassy on Pembroke Road, Dublin

Israel shuts Ireland embassy

Israel says it will close its embassy in Dublin, blaming "the extreme anti-Israel policies of the Irish government."

An Israeli Air Force F-35 plane

An Israeli Air Force F-35 plane

Dutch court rules against ban on weapon sales to Israel

The Dutch court was asked to rule on whether the Netherlands was violating international law.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan

Israel's Netanyahu 'ready for ceasefire,' US adviser says

US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the Israeli prime minister would welcome a ceasefire deal.

A child was killed and massive damage was caused when IDF warplanes targeted an IDP camp in the Mawasi Khan Younis area in the southern Gaza Strip last night.

A child was killed and massive damage was caused when IDF warplanes targeted an IDP camp in the Mawasi Khan Younis area in the southern Gaza Strip last night.

UN General Assembly passes resolution on Gaza ceasefire

The General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted the resolution demanding an unconditional and permanent ceasefire.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei delivers a speech

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei delivers a speech

How vulnerable is Iran after the fall of Syria's Assad?

Iran has said the fall of Assad will strengthen the "axis of resistance." DW spoke with expert Behnam Ben Taleblu.

A woman waves a flag and many take to the streets

A woman waves a flag and many take to the streets

Does Syria's power shift raise hopes for stability?

As Syrians all over the world celebrate the fall of Bashar Assad's regime, analysts debate what is to come.

Macabit Mayer, aunt of two hostages held in Gaza, speaks into a DW microphone

Macabit Mayer, aunt of two hostages held in Gaza, speaks into a DW microphone

Israelis split on price for return of hostages

A ceasefire with Hezbollah has revived hopes for the hostages' return. But what concessions are Israelis ready to make?

Smoke rises above the Syrian city of Aleppo

Smoke rises above the Syrian city of Aleppo

Syria: Assad under pressure in Aleppo

Islamist rebels in Syria are taking the fight to Bashar Assad's regime, but his grip on power isn't under threat yet.

Smoke rises during military operations in the city of Aleppo.

Smoke rises during military operations in the city of Aleppo.

Syria's government and allies bomb rebel-held territories

The bombardment has caused civilian casualties, marking a seemingly new wave of war between Assad's army and rebels.

A South Korean U.N peacekeeper patrol drive past destroyed buildings in Chehabiyeh village, southern Lebanon, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024 following a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that went into effect on Wednesday.

A South Korean U.N peacekeeper patrol drive past destroyed buildings in Chehabiyeh village, southern Lebanon, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024 following a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that went into effect on Wednesday.

Israel's Netanyahu accuses Hezbollah of violating ceasefire

Israel's PM called the Hezbollah fire a "serious" ceasefire violation, and said Israel would "respond strongly."

Ioan Fodor, an orthopedic surgeon at Bucharest Children's Hospital, points to an X-ray on a computer screen.

Ioan Fodor, an orthopedic surgeon at Bucharest Children's Hospital, points to an X-ray on a computer screen.

Gaza's wounded treated in Romania after rare evacuation

The chance to get treatment for his injured daughter in Romania leaves a father worried about his wife left in Gaza.

Two Leopard 2 A6 heavy battle tanks and a Puma infantry fighting vehicle of the Bundeswehr's 9th Panzer Training Brigade participate in a demonstration of capabilities in Munster, Germany

Two Leopard 2 A6 heavy battle tanks and a Puma infantry fighting vehicle of the Bundeswehr's 9th Panzer Training Brigade participate in a demonstration of capabilities in Munster, Germany

SIPRI: Weapons trade booming worldwide, especially in Russia

The Sweden-based peace research institute found that arms manufacturers' revenue rose in Russia and the Middle East.

Construction workers repairing a building

Construction workers repairing a building

Lebanon ceasefire: Civil society ramps up reconstruction

Lebanon's destruction is addressed by the civil society. Is joining governmental and activists' forces the solution?

Abbas Araghchi

Abbas Araghchi

Iran to hold nuclear deal talks with France, Germany and UK

The meeting in Geneva comes as Donald Trump is set to return to the White House.

children holding containers, queueing for food in Gaza

children holding containers, queueing for food in Gaza

Israeli airstrikes intensify across central Gaza

With the ceasefire in Lebanon proving fragile, there's been no letup to the conflict in Gaza.

Nan Goldin

Nan Goldin

How the Middle East conflict overshadows art in Germany

Photographer Nan Goldin has been celebrated and condemned for accusing Israel of genocide at a show opening in Berlin.

A woman holding the Haaretz newspaper

A woman holding the Haaretz newspaper

Israel's media crackdown is bad news for press freedom

Israel's government has ordered officials to boycott the Haaretz newspaper over its perceived critical reporting.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) and his wife Sarah are looking through documents on board the Israeli Air Force Boeing "Zion Wing"

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) and his wife Sarah are looking through documents on board the Israeli Air Force Boeing "Zion Wing"

How durable is Israel's truce with Lebanon's Hezbollah?

Israel is withdrawing from Lebanon, but these major challenges threaten the fragile truce with Hezbollah.

cars with belongings stacked high on their roofs

cars with belongings stacked high on their roofs

Thousands of displaced Lebanese head back home

As the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah takes hold, thousands start to make their way back home.

A man waves the flag of Lebanon in the southern Lebanese city of Sidon on November 27, 2024,.

A man waves the flag of Lebanon in the southern Lebanese city of Sidon on November 27, 2024,.

Israel-Lebanon ceasefire: Will it last?

After over a year of fighting, a ceasefire brokered by France and the US has been accepted by both Hezbollah and Israel.

A child stands near mattresses as displaced people pack their belongings to return to their villages in southern Lebanon

A child stands near mattresses as displaced people pack their belongings to return to their villages in southern Lebanon

Lebanese welcome start of Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire

People in Lebanon have welcomed the start of a 60-day Israel-Hezbollah truce after a night of deadly Israeli strikes.

Israeli soldiers walking away from a rocket-damaged building in southern Lebanon.

Israeli soldiers walking away from a rocket-damaged building in southern Lebanon.

Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire comes into effect

Under the agreement brokered by the US and France, Israeli and Hezbollah troops are to withdraw from southern Lebanon.

An elderly woman and a young boy sit outside a makeshift shelter in Gaza

An elderly woman and a young boy sit outside a makeshift shelter in Gaza

Gazans lack shelter and blankets as winter approaches

Aid agencies are warning that the situation for displaced Gazans is only going to get worse as temperatures drop.

The background of the photo shows a bombed out 8-storey building in Beirut without a facade. In the foreground, a bulldozer digs up rubble next to a burned-out car while rescure workers look on.

The background of the photo shows a bombed out 8-storey building in Beirut without a facade. In the foreground, a bulldozer digs up rubble next to a burned-out car while rescure workers look on.

What could an Israel-Hezbollah cease-fire deal look like?

Israel's ambassador to the US says a cease-fire deal to end fighting with Hezbollah in Lebanon could be close.

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Israeli government wants to 'weaken press freedom in Israel'

The Israeli government wants to "silence independent media," says Anat Saragusti of the Union of Journalists in Israel.

US photographer Nan Goldin sits and speaks with the media at the opening of a new retrospective on her career, at the Neuen Nationalgalerie, in Berlin, Germany, on November 22, 2024

US photographer Nan Goldin sits and speaks with the media at the opening of a new retrospective on her career, at the Neuen Nationalgalerie, in Berlin, Germany, on November 22, 2024

German leaders denounce US artist's fiery Israel speech

Photographer Nan Goldin, speaking in Berlin, denounced what she called Israel's "genocide in Gaza and Lebanon."

Benjamin Netanyahu with Olaf Scholz

Benjamin Netanyahu with Olaf Scholz

Would Netanyahu be arrested in Germany?

Germany respects the ICC arrest warrant against Netanyahu but is also committed to its special relationship with Israel.

Celine Haidar celebrating with a tournament cup after a match in Jordan

Celine Haidar celebrating with a tournament cup after a match in Jordan

Bombs in Lebanon ending lives, dreams and football

Footballers across Lebanon are hoping national player Celine Haidar recovers after she was wounded in an Israeli attack.

International Criminal Court building (ICC) in The Hague

International Criminal Court building (ICC) in The Hague

ICC seeks arrest of Netanyahu, Gallant and Hamas' Deif

The ICC has issued arrest warrants against Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leader Mohammed Deif.

Amos Hochstein, a senior adviser to US President Joe Biden, gives a statement to the media in Beirut

Amos Hochstein, a senior adviser to US President Joe Biden, gives a statement to the media in Beirut

US envoy: Progress in Lebanon peace negotiations

US diplomat Amos Hochstein met with top Lebanese officials in Beirut on Wednesday, fueling optimism.

An EU, Israeli an German flag

An EU, Israeli an German flag

EU ministers reject suspending dialogue with Israel

EU foreign ministers rejected a proposal from the bloc's top diplomat to suspend diplomatic dialogue with Israel.

People search for victims amid the rubble inside building hit in an overnight Israeli strike in Beit Lahya in the northern Gaza Strip on November 17, 2024.

People search for victims amid the rubble inside building hit in an overnight Israeli strike in Beit Lahya in the northern Gaza Strip on November 17, 2024.

Gaza: Israeli strikes kill dozens in civilian areas

Meanwhile, protesters in Tel Aviv voice frustration over the Gaza war stalemate and renew their calls for a ceasefire.

Hezbollah spokesman Mohammad Afif speaks during a press conference in south Beirut, Lebanon on November 11, 2024

Hezbollah spokesman Mohammad Afif speaks during a press conference in south Beirut, Lebanon on November 11, 2024

Israeli strike on Beirut kills Hezbollah spokesman Afif

Mohammed Afif, a Hezbollah media relations officer, was targeted in a rare Israeli strike in central Beirut.

Palestinians crowd over packages of humanitarian aid, airdropped over Jabaliya in northern Gaza

Palestinians crowd over packages of humanitarian aid, airdropped over Jabaliya in northern Gaza

UN says Gaza aid shortage is 'desperate'

Israel has opened up another border crossing to Gaza, but the UN warns it could face acute famine in the coming winter.

A view lof two Lebanese children sleeping rough

A view lof two Lebanese children sleeping rough

In Lebanon, thousands of children suffer in Israeli strikes

In Lebanon, Israeli strikes have killed over 100 children in the past six weeks, with many more injured and traumatized.

Smoke and flames rise after an Israeli strike on a residential building

Smoke and flames rise after an Israeli strike on a residential building

Israeli strike kills rescue workers in Lebanon

Local residents accuse Israel of "terrorism." Israel says it's targeting positions of the Hezbollah militant group.

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Israel rejects claims of Gaza famine at UN council

Aid organizations say that still not enough supplies reach Palestinians, leaving many civilians in Gaza to starve.

Supporters of Yemen's Huthis raise their rifles in the air as they chant slogans during an anti-Israel rally in solidarity with Gaza and Lebanon in the Huthi-controlled capital Sanaa.

Supporters of Yemen's Huthis raise their rifles in the air as they chant slogans during an anti-Israel rally in solidarity with Gaza and Lebanon in the Huthi-controlled capital Sanaa.

Are Houthis blackmailing shipping companies for millions?

UN experts suspect Houthi rebels, who have been attacking maritime traffic off Yemen, are charging for "safe passage."

A view of two trucks with humanitarian aid arriving at Kerem Shalom Crossing Point

A view of two trucks with humanitarian aid arriving at Kerem Shalom Crossing Point

How much aid is getting into Gaza?

Has Israel failed to meet US demands to allow more aid into Gaza, as some aid agencies suggest?

An Iranian flag in front of a tan building

An Iranian flag in front of a tan building

Is Israel ready to hit Iran's nuclear sites?

Israel's defense minister has said the time is right for launching military strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities.

Three pagers

Three pagers

Exploding pagers in Lebanon not made in Taiwan — prosecutors

Taiwanese prosecutors say local firms did not make the pagers that exploded in Lebanon in September, killing dozens.

Civil defense workers extinguish a fire as smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh

Civil defense workers extinguish a fire as smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh

War in Lebanon: Aid groups struggle to offer food, shelter

In Lebanon, relief organizations are struggling to help over one million people displaced by Israel's invasion.

Police officers drive people away from Dam Square during a Pro-Palestinian protest

Police officers drive people away from Dam Square during a Pro-Palestinian protest

Amsterdam police break up banned pro-Palestinian rally

Such protests were banned in the aftermath of the clashes between Israeli football fans and locals earlier in the week.